Alberta
Street - Alberta Arts Neighborhood Guide

The Alberta Arts District
in Northeast Portland is located along NE Alberta Street. It is
actually located in the Vernon,
Concordia
and King
neighborhoods. "Alberta" by name, is not technically recognized as a
standalone neighborhood, so check the surrounding neighborhood web
pages for additional information. Concordia is bordered by the Alameda,
Sabin, King, Vernon, Woodlawn, Sunderland, Cully and Beaumont-Wilshire
neighborhoods.

Features of Alberta
Street in Portland

Northeast
Alberta Street is largely
residential until it crosses
Northeast 14th Avenue and becomes what is known informally as the Alberta
Arts District. Although not
considered a neighborhood in its own right, it's a unique and dynamic
area that attracts people from all over the city.

The
Alberta Arts District presents itself in earth-tones and motifs quite
distinct from other areas, and reflects Latino, Asian, and
African-American sensibilities. That's not surprising, given its
history as one of the oldest sections of Portland. Nor should it be
surprising that the street and surrounding neighborhood has had its
share of growing pains as it has morphed over the decades from a poor
area peopled by immigrants and disenfranchised citizens to a thriving
and industrious haven for the creative artisans and business owners who
work and live there. Although the effects of gentrification are still
debated in some quarters, Alberta seems to have become for most
residents and visitors a stable, welcoming environment. This is never
more apparent than on Last
Thursday, a
street festival celebrating art, food, and community that takes place
on the last Thursday of every month.

To
explore the Alberta Arts District, it's best to wear comfortable shoes
(or straddle a comfortable bicycle saddle) rather than drive, to
appreciate all it has to offer. Start off on an empty stomach, too,
because you'll find plenty of diverse and delicious options along the
way to fill it. Tin
Shed is a popular eating
attraction, a great
spot for breakfast or brunch or what have you (but you might want to
wait until after you try on some cool duds at Frock across the street, thus
to avoid
post-prandial bulging). Or there's Fuel
Cafe a
couple of strides down the walk, favored by many for the coffee and
breakfast nomz.

On the
corner at NE 15th
is the Alberta
Co-Op Grocery
where you can buy locally-produced foods and homeopathic items (and
beer and wine!) and support local economy. A bit further you'll find Helser's
on Alberta, in case your stamina
flags and you regret not eating a few blocks back (happens to the best
of us). Of course farther up the street is Halo
Thai...

If you
brought some avid
young readers
along for your urban hike, they'll love it when you stop in at Green
Bean Books for
a riffle through new and used children's books. You'll love it too,
when you see what else this great book shop has in store. Books
(natch), comix, crafts, story times for the tykes, author readings, and
even a deck and garden where you may relax while the youngsters
explore. It's not just a kid's place, it's a family place.

For
the artsy-craftsy set, nothing beats Collage, a shop where you can
find everything
your sewing, gluing, pasting, painting, etching, scissor-snipping heart
could crave. There are even classes and workshops offered, and
nationally-known artists are hosted often.

Turn
around, and your
eyes are instantly
drawn to the mural that covers the entire west-facing side of Community
Cycling
Center, a bicycling mainstay
in Portland since
1994. For many Portland cyclists this is the
reason to visit the district. The center stocks great refurbished bikes
and frames, and offers repair facilities along with new and used parts
and accessories. It's much more than just a bike shop, though.
Community Cycling Center provides programs and outreach for both adults
and youth, and advocates for the ever-growing cycling community. The
volunteer opportunities for both the seasoned cyclist and the neophyte
are second to none. Grab a wrench (well, ask politely for one), help
build or fix a bike, delight a kid or grown-up in need.

When
you're done
salivating over a
refurb'd Bianchi or tuning a wheel, cross the street for (yet one more)
coffee at Barista. These folks know
coffee. And taxidermy.
Odd combination, but you're in Portland. Or perhaps you'd rather take a
few more steps down the walk to Random Order
Coffeehouse &
Bakery for coffee and
sumptuous pie. Who doesn't like pie? Or maybe Petite
Provence, for banana french
toast? The rest of
this urban hike is going to be a waddle.

Should
you be looking for a string for your ukelele, a stop at Trade
Up Music Co. is recommended
before making your way down to The
Hilt for cocktails and
mediterranean noshes.
Then drop in at Screaming
Sky Galleryto see and to buy art in
styles from cute
to brutal and all in between. After you've absorbed some culture there,
marinate it in some cocktails and pinball and LOUD MUSIC at the
divey-licious The
Know right across the street.

Halibut's. Fish 'n' chips done
right. Ask anyone
who has ever willingly put a piece of fish in his or her mouth if this
is a great place to go. Then go there.

Binks is a real favorite in
the neighborhood
for people who like good food and just-right cocktails. It's the
hangout of preference for many loyal patrons.

Six
Days Art Gallery Co-op is a
member-driven art
consortium made up
of local artists who have brought their colorful and unique work under
one roof. They even have a bee hive in the front window! On purpose!

Not last and far from least is the Alberta
Rose Theatre, an historic
movie
house built in 1927
and closed in 1978, then renovated and re-opened as a beautiful
entertainment venue where patrons may wine and dine and see local and
international musicians. Nothing beats an evening of music and
comestibles at the Alberta Rose.

Beyond
this point lie even more restaurants and art galleries, but you've got
the idea. It's a pretty sure bet that as you leave the Alberta Arts
District, you'll already be planning to come back.

Alberta Street
Restaurants

Alberta Street, the main
drag through the neighborhood, has many newly
renovated retail storefronts and restaurant space. These are mixed in
with older
businesses that have been there forever. The shopping area can now only
be
considered
trendy. There is a strong focus on indie designers, handcrafted items,
and boutique shops.

Most
of the shops lining Alberta Street highlight
handmade local
designer clothing, paper mache' lamps, and imported gifts from afar.
Alberta
art galleries and shops showcase some fine local work. Smattered
throughout are
the requisite Portland coffee houses, seemingly one for each counter
culture--there
are no rules in Portland about having too many coffee shops on one
street, and
Alberta is no exception. You won't find a Starbucks on Alberta, though,
as it
just wouldn't seem to fit into the quirky individuality of the place.

At first glance, the name
“Alberta Arts District” may seem a little
overstated when taking into account the number of galleries on the
street. But
when one discovers that nearly every business - from restaurants and
bars to the
finest in dress shops, with very little exception - functions as a
gallery with
a rotating roster of artists represented on their walls, one begins to
understand the full nature of this community’s devotion to
art. And Last
Thursday, as it is simply called, is the designation given to the
ever-growing
event occurring on the last Thursday of each month when each of these
establishments is open late and essentially transformed into the
artists’
opening night reception. Regardless of its moniker,
Portland’s Alberta Arts
District remains a locus of high-octane change. It’s morphing
at a rate you
can almost hear. There yet remain forces that attempt to counter the
growth, but
one gets the sense that the gang tagging and intermittent vandalism
that occurs
resembles flailing death throes more than any real threat to the
impending
gentrification takeover. Many of the area’s proprietors are
also its neighbors
and have a vested stake in making this district work. hey are aware of
their
role as settlers claiming what was once wild country. And they know
that success
in adventure comes with strength in numbers, so they take care of one
another.
They are patrons in one another’s establishments. They
recommend one another.
In Portland’s Alberta neighborhood, businesses clustered
together mean the
opportunity to thrive, not cut throats.

Fuel

“…For
the body, mind, and spirit.” Offering a holistic
approach to keeping your engine running, Fuel fires up dishes with an
emphasis on nutrition and no artificial preservatives as well as
several vegan friendly options. Their entire coffee inventory
is 100% organic, fair trade, and locally sourced.
Fuel’s also got books, chess boards, two computers for public
use, and WI-FI for all those other cylinders you might be running on.

Fuel

1452 NE Alberta

Portland, OR 97211

(503) 335-FUEL

Halibuts

Like they need the press,
right? But there’s a reason. If you like fish and
chips – nay, if you don’t like fish and chips
– you’ll love Halibuts. They just do it right.
Anita in the kitchen will make sure the breading is crispy, and the
fish is succulent. Don’t know how, but the important thing is
Anita does, and she’ll do it with a side of smiles
– a shortage of which you absolutely will not find at
Halibuts.

Uber-friendly and
unbelievably approachable owner David
Mackay runs his ship with a laidback – and grateful
– manner that is
palpable. And within the few years he’s been open for biz,
he’s seen his operation go from a small fish/chips and
chowder restaurant to
an Alberta institution. It’s so popular and has won so many
awards and accolades in its short tenure
that David added Halibut’s II next
door with a full bar and live music six nights a week. Why? Like their
menu says, “Just for the halibut.”

Halibuts

2525 NE Alberta

Portland, OR 97211

(503) 808-9600

Taqueria Don Pancho

You walk in, and your
mouth starts to water. This place screams authentic. So, if
you’re looking for the corporate-Mexican-by-numbers,
balloon-guy-for-the-kids, scream-over-the-mariachis,
pass-the-ranch-dressing kinda “taste of Mexico ”
– walk on by
rapidamente. But if you’re looking for a menu so authentic it
has to be written in pictures ‘cause not everyone there is
speaking the same language, try Taqueria Don Poncho. Sharing
the building with its sister
carniceria/grocery store, Don Poncho serves such traditional fare as
Mojarra and Sopes as well as gringo hits like fajitas and nachos that
are available for dine-in or take out.

Taqueria Don Pancho

2000 NE Alberta

Portland, OR 97211

(503) 459-4247

The Know

To be in The Know means
to hang out in a space where live music, beer, and wine are on tap
seven days a week. The music venue portion of the bill appears to be
the star though the barstools are filled all afternoon long before the
musicians show up. Owned and operated for the last two and a half years
by Ryan, Sarah, and Sandwich , The Know does not offer food, but, once
again, Vepadoe’s Deli around the corner comes to the
rescue. Honoring yet another symbiotic relationship on Alberta
, Vepadoe’s will serve you that tasty sandwich or snack plate
to go with your beer at The Know. No problem.

Taqueria Don Pancho

The Know

2026 NE Alberta

Portland, OR 97211

(503) 473-8729

Every Day Wine

What a great neighborhood
wine bar! Come in and say "hi" to proprietor Beth Boston. Of course,
you must also greet Porter the shop dog, who sort of rules the place.
This is a casual "come as you are" wine bar with a nice comfortable,
down-to-earth atmosphere. Kick back with the locals and relax while
sampling any one of 400 or so bottles of wine. There's no formal wine
list or menu, just browse and pick a bottle from the varied selection
lining the shelves, arranged in order by region. Of course you don't
have to be a wine expert to find a nice bottle--Beth is happy to supply
you with more information or assistance on making your selection. Most
bottles are priced in a very reasonable 'every day wine' price range of
say $9-15.

Insider's Tip - the shop
doesn't sell any food....in order to keep her
shop dog-friendly, there is no kitchen. But not to worry--bring your
own yummies from any one of the amazing restaurants lining Alberta St.,
or better yet, do what I did. Right around the corner from Every Day
Wine, just a couple doors down is the Vepadoe's Deli and Catering shop.
Vepadoe's and Every Day have sort of a symbiotic business
relationship--Vepadoe's will make you up a nice deli sandwich or a fine
snack plate (bread, cheese, meats and olives) and deliver it right to
the wine shop for you!

Friendly people, great
service, tasty food, fine wine--and all right here in one of my
favorite Portland neighborhoods. What more could I ask for at the end
of a long day at work? I'll be back for more!
Be sure to sample some new wines at Beth's "Friday Night Flights",
usually every Friday night from 5-9pm. Or, plan your next party at
Every Day Wine. They hold up to 50 people, just call ahead to plan and
schedule your next event.

Every Day Wine

Alberta Street Businesses

Alberta Cooperative
Grocery

Clearing shelves of big
brands and paving the way for a well-nourished neighborhood, Alberta
Co-op Grocery is meticulous about their inventory. If a smaller brand
is bought out by its larger competitor, it’s outta there. If
a soda contains high-fructose syrup, it’s not allowed to
darken the doorway.Stocking “high quality, affordable, and
responsibly-produced food,” Alberta Co-op cares about what
they sell because they are, “owned by our
neighbors,” and are, “serving our
neighbors.”

Alberta Cooperative
Grocery

1500 NE Alberta

Portland, OR 97211

(503) 287-4333

Parks

There are several local
parks nearby. The sixteen acre Alberta
Park features a basketball
court, an off-leash dog area, paths, picnic tables and playground, as
well as a softball field, tennis court and water feature.

Alberta Street Galleries

You just can't miss
Alberta's "Last
Thursday", which seems a combination art gallery "hop" and
neighborhood street fair all rolled into one. It is every last Thursday
of the
month during the summer. If nothing else, enjoy the swarming crowds,
and have
fun people watching. You'll also have the opportunity to pick up some
local arts
(and crafts) work at great prices. Support your neighborhood arts!
Don't forget
to check our Portland
Arts page for the latest event,
exhibits, and more information.

Neighborhood Vibe

Artsy, fun, funky,
quirky. The multi-cultural diversity creates an
interesting mix. A great older Portland community:
gentrification is always controversial, and you'll catch some
of the good and bad undertones, as in any neighborhood going through
drastic
change. This area has a strong community feel, and the local
business
owners along the street respect and look out for each
other.

Stats

Alberta Real Estate

In Alberta, you will
typically find modest homes with older
East Portland architectural styles such as Craftsman style bungalow,
cottages, Old Portland foursquare style, and other mid-sized, one and
two story homes. The
neighborhood has a lot of style and unique charm. If
you are interested in buying or selling a home in Portland's Alberta
Arts
neighborhood, visit our Portland
Real Estate Page for more
information, or visit our Portland
Real Estate Map to search the
RMLS for Alberta Arts homes for sale.

Moving
to Portland?
Want to make new Portland friends
or ask questions about the Alberta Arts area Portland
neighborhoods?

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